PEORIA — Fingers were snapping, hands were clapping and palms were raised to the sky all along the riverfront Friday night.

Hundreds gathered just outside the Gateway Building to kick off the two-night 2014 River City Soul Fest the only way that seemed fitting: with loud and soulful music.

Slight cracks in the clouded gray skies cast the stage with a heavenly glow, fitting for a Friday night dedicated to gospel music.

After an on-stage prayer featuring a whirling organ and a popping bass guitar, the members of the River City Choir bounded onto the stage to kick off the festivities.

While a crowd of a couple hundred danced and sang along, others walked around the concert stage, lured by the smell of barbecue or the sight of jewelry. Vincent Flemming of Chicago was there to show off some of his handcrafted jewelry, featuring everything from puka shells to wooden crosses.

“I’ve been coming down here for 13 years, Soul Fest is a part of me now,” Flemming said.

Proudly wearing his Chicago Bulls Scottie Pippen jersey, Flemming was quick to point out his roots and talk about the music scene back in Chicago. He was happy to see that Peoria had a festival with his hometown’s soul.

“The people of Peoria are cool, they deserve to have a festival as cool as them to go and have some fun at,” Flemming said.

While sidetracked by the various foods and vendors for a little while, most people were eager to stay in their seats and take in the music.

George Davis, dressed head-to-toe in maroon, stood near the back of the crowd, watching the stage and the hundreds that swayed and bobbed along to the music.

“The word of God brought all these people here today, that’s very comforting,” Davis said.

Davis thought Peoria needed more events like Soul Fest, more places that people can “just come out to and enjoy the night, without gunshots.”

As the music swelled, hallelujahs and hands were tossed into the sky as dozens in the crowd took to their feet. Davis looked on and smiled.

“It’s just good people coming out to have a good time. A lot of people,” he said. “That makes you feel good in the soul.”

Zach Berg can be reached at zberg@pjstar.com or 686-3257. Follow him on Twitter @ZacharyBerg.